The Flash Annual #1

Prelude to Flash War

Joshua Williamson – Writer
Howard Porter and Christian Duce – Art
Hi-Fi – Color
Carlos M. Mangual and Travis Lanham – Letters
Porter and Hi-Fi – Cover
Andrew Marino – Assistant Editor
Rebecca Taylor – Editor
Marie Javins – Group Editor
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
By special arrangement with the Jerry Siegel family.

Our cover shows Wally West wearing his new uniform, while sadly holding his two old uniforms. This is a great way to illustrate the awkward position Wally is in. He's no longer Kid Flash or the Flash anymore. He's something in-between, forcing him to wear what I think is a stupid and ugly uniform. The biggest problem with it is how it exposes his red hair, potentially revealing his secret identity. But as we'll see in this issue, Wally doesn't really care about his secret identity — much like he did in the '90s.

Half a year after our brief tour to the Flash Museum in the 25th century (in which Iris West killed Eobard Thawne with a black hole gun), we are finally returning to that setting. A team of investigators is poring through the rubble, trying to figure out what happened. And right on Page One, with no chance of us missing it, is a smashed-up statue of our beloved Impulse.

On the next page, we see another image of Impulse, standing next to Johnny Quick, Max Mercury and John Fox. And on a floor below him is a statue of Bart's dad, Don Allen, one of the Tornado Twins. It's all pretty exciting stuff, but that's all the Bart we get in this issue. However, this Flash War storyline is rather significant to Bart's return, so I will provide a quick recap.

The 25th century investigators learn that Eobard Thawne has been murdered, and they make a brief mention to the fact that Eobard had previously captured an unnamed, yet seemingly dangerous individual, who is now the sole prisoner of Iron Heights. As the investigators continue their work, the museum begins to change around them, and their advanced computers inform them that the timeline is being altered by events in the 21st century.

Back in the 21st century, Wally, Wallace and Barry work together to defeat the Top fairly easily. Afterward, Barry tries to push Wally to finally reveal himself to his aunt Iris, but Wally is reluctant, based on how poorly his interactions with Linda Park have gone. Wallace agrees with Barry, pointing out how Iris has been suffering from severe nightmares since she killed Thawne. Wally didn't know about this and he is outraged that Barry not only put Iris in that position, but that he neglected to tell him about it.

So Wally takes off and pouts, lamenting the fact that the only people who remember him are Barry and a handful of the old Titans (who have recently disbanded). Eager to find someone who might know who he is, Wally tracks down Frances Kane, aka Magenta, his sometime girlfriend/sometime villain from the '90s. Frances does have her memories restored, which initially leads to a fight, as her villainous personality is awakened. But Wally manages to calm her down and she gives him a nice pep talk about the importance of knowing the truth, even though it may hurt.

Wally then moves into a new apartment overlooking Keystone City, financed by his old friend, Dick Grayson, who apparently stole the money from Bruce Wayne. While enjoying the view from his empty lodging, Wally spots an unusual crackle of blue lightning on the bridge below, so he races off to investigate.

Back in the future, the investigators learn that Iris was responsible for Eobard's death. Their leader, a hooded judge, orders them to travel back in time and bring Iris to justice, so the investigators don their Rogue-inspired uniforms and dub themselves the Renegades. Once the Renegades are gone, the judge removes his hood to reveal ... Hunter Zolomon, aka Zoom!




It's been a solid year and a half since Rebirth, but now things are finally starting to pay off. And by that, I mean the return of the '90s and early 2000s era of the Flash family. This issue gave us a very strong hint of Impulse's return, as well as two big supporting characters/villains from Wally's life. It is rather fun and exciting. I still wish we could get more Bart stuff and sooner, but after having absolutely nothing for so long, this is a welcome relief. Let's check out the ads:

Can anyone stop these Dark Multiverse nightmares? Dark Knights Rising: Wild Hunt.

An eight-page preview of The Immortal Men.

The DC All Access interview is with Jim Lee, artist of The Immortal Men.

Next time, our road to Bart's return continues in The Flash #45.